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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Two British troops die overseas | Two British troops die overseas |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. | One British soldier has been killed in Iraq and a British marine has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed. | The soldier died while on duty in Basra and the marine was killed during operations in the southern province of Helmand, officials confirmed. |
| The families of both men have been informed. | The families of both men have been informed. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the news of the two deaths. |
| The Ministry of Defence said the marine was killed during a mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, Helmand province. | The Ministry of Defence said the marine was killed during a mission to clear Taleban positions and firing points at Kajaki, Helmand province. |
| 'Terrible loss' | 'Terrible loss' |
| Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends. | Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the UK Task Force in Afghanistan, said: "I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and to his friends. |
| "They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time." | "They have lost a much loved member of their family and a good friend and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time." |
| He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated MoD spokeswoman UK Afghanistan fatalities British deaths in Iraq | He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated MoD spokeswoman UK Afghanistan fatalities British deaths in Iraq |
| An MoD spokeswoman said the soldier who died in Iraq was hit by gun-fire after briefly leaving his armoured vehicle. | An MoD spokeswoman said the soldier who died in Iraq was hit by gun-fire after briefly leaving his armoured vehicle. |
| The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was returning to his Basra base after a patrol when he was attacked. | The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was returning to his Basra base after a patrol when he was attacked. |
| "He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated and receiving the best possible treatment," the spokeswoman said. | "He was shot by small arms fire and died later from his injuries despite being medically evacuated and receiving the best possible treatment," the spokeswoman said. |
| She added that it was "quite normal" for soldiers to leave armoured vehicles during routine patrols. | She added that it was "quite normal" for soldiers to leave armoured vehicles during routine patrols. |
| Mortar attacks | |
| The marine who died in Afghanistan was killed during running battles with Taleban fighters. | |
| The British troops crawled up a hill in the early hours of Saturday morning to launch an attack which left 16 suspected insurgents dead. | |
| Defence secretary said he was "greatly saddened" by deaths | |
| Nato commanders said the insurgents, who were hiding out in mud-brick compounds, had been disrupting planned work on a nearby dam project. | |
| The British camp in Kajaki had also regularly endured mortar attacks from the compounds, military officials said. | |
| They added that the decision to go after the militants was made after watching them for almost a month. | |
| Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss". | Mr Browne said his "thoughts and sincere condolences" were with both servicemen's families, friends and colleagues "as they come to terms with this terrible loss". |
| Fierce battle | Fierce battle |
| Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province. | Earlier this week British troops killed up to 100 Taleban fighters as they destroyed a key base in Helmand province. |
| It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date. | It was described as the UK Task Force's biggest pre-planned operation in the area to date. |
| There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand. | There are currently 6,000 British troops in Afghanistan, with 1,000 based in the capital, Kabul, and 5,000 in Helmand. |
| In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country. | In Iraq, there are 7,100 members of the British armed forces based around Basra in the south east of the country. |
| The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January. | The last soldier to die in Iraq was Sergeant Wayne Rees, 36, who was killed in a road accident in rural Maysan province on 7 January. |